Synovitis of familial mediterranean fever. A histologic and ultrastructural study.

The microscopic and ultrastructural features seen in the synovium of twelve patients affected by the protracted arthritis variety of FMF is described. It would appear that the small vessels of the synovial membrane are the principle target organ in this articular pathology. Intra articular injections of colloidal radioactive gold, or hydrocortisone, do not alter the histologic and ultrastructural appearance of the affected synovia. Neither do these findings change in the regenerated synovia, growing after a surgical synovectomy. The implications of these findings are discussed.